The Eleusinian Mysteries

Ninnion Tablet- a mid-4th century votive plaque depicting elements of the Mysteries, found in the sanctuary at Eleusis

What were the Eleusinian Mysteries?

The Mysteries honored Demeter and Persephone, specifically the story of Demeter's frantic search for her daughter after Persephone's abduction by Hades, detailed in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter (Wright). They were an important part of Athenian religion, but the rites remained a closely guarded secret (Wright). There were two versions- the Greater Mysteries and the Lesser Mysteries (Wright). Because exceptionally little is known about the Lesser Mysteries, we will focus on the Greater Mysteries.

The Homeric Hymn to Demeter

Events of the Eleusinian Mysteries

Written sometime between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE by an unknown author, the Homeric Hymn to Demeter tells the story of Persephone's abduction by Hades and Demeter's frantic search for her daughter. The hymn explains the change of seasons as well as the origin of the Eleusinian Mysteries (Lopez-Ruiz, 523).

  • Hades abducts Persephone with Zeus' permission and takes her to the Underworld

  • Only Hekate and Helios witness the kidnapping and tell a distressed Demeter what has happened to her daughter

  • In despair, Demeter disguises herself as an old woman and goes to the house of Keleos in Eleusis

  • Demeter becomes the nurse of Metaneira's son, Demophoon

  • She attempts to make the boy immortal but is caught by Metaneira before she can do so and reveals her true identity

  • The earth becomes barren in Demeter's absence, and she refuses to return unless Persephone is returned to her

  • Zeus orders Hades to release Persephone, which he does, but not before giving her a pomegranate to eat

  • Because she ate food from the Underworld, it was decreed that Persephone must spend part of each year in the Underworld with Hades, when Demeter brings winter to the world

  • Demeter shares her sacred rites with the Eleusinians

  • Day 1

    • Known as the "Gathering" or the "Assembly" (Wright)

    • Ritual purification, first in consecrated water, then by fire ceremonial (Wright)

    • Initiates wore simple clothes, as extravagant clothing was disfavored by Demeter (Wright)

    • Archon Basileus would make the following proclamation before the initiates washed their hands in consecrated water:

      • "Come, whoever is clean of all pollution and whose soul has not consciousness of sin. Come, whosoever hath lived a life of righteousness and justice. Come all ye who are pure of heart and of hand, and whose speech can be understood. Whosoever hath not clean hands, a pure soul, and an intelligible voice must not assist at the Mysteries" (Wright)

  • Day 2

    • Halada Mystae ("To the sea, ye mystae") (Wright)

    • Named for the command given to initiates to purify themselves in the salt water of two sacred lakes located on the Sacred Way (Wright)

    • Bathing preceded by confession (Wright)

    • Bathing of sacrificial pigs (Wright)

  • Day 3

    • Heireia Deuro ("Bring Sacred Offerings") (Keller, 32)

    • All kinds of pleasures, even the most innocent, were strictly forbidden (Wright)

    • Fasting until nightfall (Wright)

    • Sacrifice of pigs bathed the day before by each initiate for the evening's feast (Keller, 32)

  • Day 4

    • Asklepia/Epidauria (Keller, 33)

    • In honor of Asklepios and his healing center ot the south at Epidauros (Keller, 33)

    • Said that the cult of Asklepios and Hygeia joined the Mysteries in Athens (Keller, 33)

    • Special blessings invoked for doctors and healers (Keller, 33)

    • After a night of dreaming, initiates would tell their dream to an attendant of Asklepios or Hygeia called therapeutes (Keller, 33)

  • Day 5

    • Pompe (Keller, 33)

    • Priestesses of Demeter and Persephone led procession from Athens to Eleusis carrying the basket of Hiera, or the Sacred Things (Keller, 33-34)

    • Along the journey, the procession stops by several sacred sites along the Sacred Way (Keller, 34)

  • Day 6

    • Pannychis or Nightlong Revelry (Keller, 34)

    • Dancing by women near Demeter's temple at Eleusis (Keller, 34)

    • Following morning and afternoon used for rest and further dedications (Keller, 34)

  • Days 7 & 8

    • Mysteriotides Nychtes or Nights of the Mysteries (Keller, 34)

    • Little is known of what occurred during these nights (Keller, 34)

    • Reenactment of the sacred drama of Demeter and Persephone (Keller, 35)

  • Day 9

    • Plemochoai or Libations and Epistrophe or Return (Keller, 39)

    • Libations were offered (Keller, 39)

    • Transition back to everyday life with a new way of seeing (Keller, 39)